Iran is resisting U.S. demands for direct talks on its nuclear program or face bombing, warning neighbors hosting U.S. bases that they could come under fire if they intervene, a senior Iranian official said.

While Iran has rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's demand for direct talks, it wants to pursue indirect talks through Oman, which is a long-standing channel of communication between the rival states, said the official, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity.

“Indirect talks provide an opportunity to assess Washington's seriousness about a political solution to Iran,” the official said. The official said that while the path could prove “thorny,” such talks could begin soon if the U.S. supports them.

The official said Iran has sent notices to Iraq, Kuwait, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey and Bahrain that any support for a U.S. attack on Iran, including the use of their airspace or territory by the U.S. military during the attack, would be considered an act of hostility.

Such an act “would have serious consequences for them,” the official said, adding that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has put Iran's armed forces on high alert.

Government officials in Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain responded to requests for comment. Turkey's foreign ministry said it was not aware of the warning but that such reports could be transmitted through other channels.